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Mixed bacterial-viral infections in septic children with leukemia

Minna Koskenvuo1, Merja Möttönen, Jaana Rahiala

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland. minna.koskenvuo@utu.fi

The Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal
|November 29, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Febrile infections in children with leukemia often involve bacteria. This study found that many bacterial infections in these children also have a co-occurring viral infection, highlighting the complexity of pediatric leukemia care.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Oncology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Hematology

Background:

  • Febrile infections are frequent in pediatric leukemia patients.
  • The co-occurrence of bacterial and viral infections in these children is not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the prevalence of viral infections in children with acute leukemia who have culture-proven bacterial infections.
  • To identify common viruses associated with bacterial infections in this vulnerable population.

Main Methods:

  • A prospective, multicenter survey was conducted involving 51 children with acute leukemia.
  • 156 febrile episodes with positive bacterial blood cultures were analyzed.
  • Samples (nasal swabs, stool) were tested for 16 different viruses using culture, antigen detection, and PCR.

Main Results:

  • Bacterial infections were confirmed in 19 episodes (11%) across 17 children.
  • A viral infection was detected concurrently in 11 of these 19 bacterial septic episodes (58%).
  • Rhinovirus and respiratory syncytial virus were the most frequently identified viruses.

Conclusions:

  • Invasive bacterial infections in children with leukemia are frequently associated with concurrent viral infections.
  • These findings underscore the importance of considering mixed infections in febrile episodes in pediatric leukemia patients.
Abstract

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